I took this photograph at one of the important political rallies before the election. The arena was so packed that we could hardly breathe. In order to get to the front and take this photograph I had to break through strict security guards in commando uniforms, big guns and bullet belts over their upper bodies. All that hassle was to protect Solomon Berewa, or as people call him Solo B. Crowds of people chanted, “Solo B! Solo B! Solo B!” loudly as they raised their fists in rhythm with their voices.

This man is the president of Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), which is one of the strongest parties in the country. Solo B. was the Vice-President of Sierra Leone from 2002 to 2007 until the SLPP was defeated by the APC (All People’s Congress) in the August 11, 2007 election. He looked strong at this rally. But I wonder if standing on a shiny silver car, surrounded with numerous security guards holding guns, helped or hindered him.